The Best Private Schools in Saint Johns, Pennsylvania
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Saint Johns. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Nativity BVM High School
Roman Catholic Diocese of Allentown
Nativity BVM High School is a highly-regarded Catholic college preparatory school serving the Saint Johns area and greater Schuylkill County region. Founded by the Sisters of Saint Cyril and Methodius, the school offers a rigorous academic program with 14 Advanced Placement courses and a comprehensive STEM curriculum. The campus features modern science labs, technology-integrated classrooms, and extensive athletic facilities. With small class sizes and dedicated faculty, the school maintains a 100% college acceptance rate and strong community involvement through service programs and extracurricular activities.
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Blue Mountain Academy
Seventh-day Adventist Church
Blue Mountain Academy is a respected Seventh-day Adventist boarding and day school serving students from Saint Johns and surrounding communities. The 350-acre campus offers comprehensive college preparatory education with distinctive programs in agricultural sciences, music performance, and spiritual development. The school features modern dormitories, science laboratories, performing arts center, and extensive athletic facilities. With a strong emphasis on character development and academic excellence, Blue Mountain Academy provides a supportive learning environment with personalized attention and diverse extracurricular opportunities.
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Lehigh Valley Academy Regional Charter School
Lehigh Valley Academy
Lehigh Valley Academy is a highly-rated International Baccalaureate World School serving students from multiple counties including those from the Saint Johns area. As the only public charter school in Pennsylvania authorized to offer the full IB continuum, the school provides exceptional academic rigor from primary years through diploma program. The modern campus features state-of-the-art STEM labs, collaborative learning spaces, and comprehensive athletic facilities. With a focus on developing critical thinking and global citizenship, the school maintains strong college placement records and offers extensive extracurricular programs in athletics, arts, and community service.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Saint Johns, Pennsylvania
What are the primary private school options available for families in Saint Johns, Pennsylvania, and what are their core educational models?
In the Saint Johns, PA area, families have several distinct private school options. Nativity BVM High School in Pottsville is a private, Catholic, college-preparatory school serving grades 9-12. Blue Mountain Academy, located in Hamburg, is a private, co-educational boarding and day school for grades 9-12, operated by the Seventh-day Adventist Church with a focus on holistic development. While technically a charter school, Lehigh Valley Academy Regional Charter School in Bethlehem is a tuition-free public charter option that operates independently, offering an International Baccalaureate (IB) program. It's important to note that Saint Johns itself is a small borough, so these schools are located in nearby towns within Schuylkill and Berks counties, representing the primary independent and faith-based options accessible to local residents.
How does tuition for private schools in the Saint Johns, PA area compare, and what financial aid options are available through Pennsylvania state programs?
Tuition varies significantly among the schools near Saint Johns. Nativity BVM High School and Blue Mountain Academy (as a day student) typically have annual tuition ranging from $10,000 to $15,000, though boarding at Blue Mountain Academy is higher. Pennsylvania offers specific financial aid programs that can help offset these costs. The most notable is the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) and Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC) programs, which provide scholarships to eligible students through approved organizations. Eligibility often depends on family income and the student's residence in a low-achieving school district. It's crucial to contact each school's financial aid office directly to understand their specific tuition rates, need-based aid, and how to apply for state-sponsored scholarship funds.
What unique academic or specialized programs do private schools near Saint Johns, Pennsylvania, offer that differentiate them from local public schools?
The private schools near Saint Johns offer specialized curricula not universally available in area public districts. Nativity BVM High School provides a structured college-prep curriculum infused with Catholic values and theology. Blue Mountain Academy emphasizes a science and health-oriented curriculum aligned with its Adventist principles, along with boarding school life and vocational arts. Lehigh Valley Academy Regional Charter School's standout feature is its authorization as an International Baccalaureate World School, offering the IB Primary Years, Middle Years, and Diploma Programmes, which focus on international-mindedness and inquiry-based learning. These specialized approaches offer alternatives to the standard Pennsylvania public school curriculum, catering to specific religious, pedagogical, or global education preferences.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private high schools like Nativity BVM or Blue Mountain Academy that serve Saint Johns families?
The enrollment process for these schools generally begins in the fall prior to the desired academic year. For 9th-grade admission, families should initiate inquiries and campus visits in the student's 8th-grade year. Both Nativity BVM and Blue Mountain Academy typically require an application form, academic records from previous schools, teacher recommendations, standardized test scores (like the HSPT for Nativity), and often a family interview. Some schools may have entrance exams. Deadlines for priority financial aid consideration often align with winter or early spring. Given the limited seats and specific requirements, starting the process early is highly advised. It's also recommended to attend open houses, which are usually scheduled in the autumn.
For a family in Saint Johns, what are the key considerations when comparing local public school districts (like Blue Mountain School District) with the available private school options?
Families in Saint Johns should weigh several local factors. The Blue Mountain School District is the assigned public district, offering a tuition-free education with a range of standard academic, athletic, and extracurricular programs. The primary considerations for choosing a private option include: **Educational Philosophy** (religious formation vs. secular IB vs. holistic boarding), **Cost** (significant tuition investment vs. free public education), **Class Size** (typically smaller in private settings), and **Commute** (all private options require a drive to Pottsville, Hamburg, or Bethlehem). Additionally, private schools may offer more specialized college counseling or unique programs (like IB or boarding) not available publicly. The decision often hinges on how much value a family places on a specific mission-aligned education versus the convenience and cost of the local public system.
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